Ravinder Sood
Palampur, January 9
The water level of the Beas is shrinking year after year near Jaisinghpur.
The level is so low that one can even cross the riverbed on foot. The reckless and unscientific mining in the river has dried it at many places. State agencies like forest, mining, pollution and revenue departments are unconcerned with the situation and till date, no steps have been initiated to nab the culprits.
The Beas is one of the largest rivers of north India with many dams and power projects on it. The river has been facing environmental threats from illegal mining and deforestation. "Major tributaries of the Beas like Neugal, Binwa, Bhiral, Awa and Mol Khuds are drying every year as sand and stone mining are the biggest threat. The situation is worse in Palampur as both banks of the river are prone to illegal mining in the absence of any checks."
The illegal mining has created deep ravines near Sujanpur, Harsi Pattan and Jaisinghpur in the Beas. Till September 2017 before the Assembly elections, over 30,000 cases of illegal mining were detected in the state due to which it suffered a loss of Rs 2,400 crore. The BJP made it a major election issue and promised to curb the menace if voted to power.
It was expected that the new BJP government would initiate stringent measures against illegal mining in this regions of the state but things have moved from bad to worse, particularly in Kangra, Una , Mandi, Sirmaur and Solan districts
The existence of many drinking water supply and irrigation schemes which get water from the river is under threat as the mining mafia has badly damaged water supply lines and its beds at many points. Several bridges are also in danger.
A number of villagers told The Tribune team that the Irrigation and Public Health Department was well-versed with the situation but had initiated no action against the mafia who had been causing huge loss to public property. They said most of the illegal roads leading to the riverbed had been constructed in forest land but till date, no forest officer dared to dismantle these illegal routes.
The issue relating to illegal mining in the Kangra valley is already under the scanner in the HP High Court.
Courtesy: Tribune News Service
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